“Thanks again, Teul. You always seem to know when you’re needed.”
“I’m always there for you, Waach. I’m always there.” His eyes started to cloud over, once again.
“Okay now, Soldier,” I scolded, unconvincingly.
Emataly and Nikai came back to me and felt the paste. They looked at each other and nodded. They got the white bowl and started applying a second paste, that one white. I thought the coating would help with the smell, but it didn’t. I still smelled heavily of jaguar shit.
“Don’t those two talk?” asked Teul, addressing Kish.
“They do,” he answered.
Teul looked at him, as if expecting more. As more wasn’t forthcoming, he continued. “Well, why don’t they?”
“They are Helpers. They do their work. Many times, talking interferes with work. It seems you do not know that. Maybe you should talk less.”
“That remark was not necessary, Kish,” said Teul. He looked as if he was going to say something else, but slammed his mouth shut instead. It seemed that we were slamming our mouths shut very often, recently.
“No ‘madafok’ this time,” noted Kish, blithely.
I had to chuckle. Teul said nothing, but his black eyes stormed at me for chuckling.
The women continued painting me white. Again, I am sure Tóolok was very unhappy. I don’t think he liked being painted white. My mind suddenly went to Father Stiobhan. His toon was white. Why was I thinking of Father Stiobhan and of all things, his toon? I pushed him away quickly.
When they were finished, Nikai got a short wrap-around skirt made from a white pelt and she and Emataly secured it around my waist, the skirt barely covering Tóolok. They next brought a large headdress made from the head of a baläm; it was white. They fitted the heavy headdress securely to my head then went over to the weapons and began painting them white.
The men continued staring at me. I could hear Teul’s “madafok” under his breath.
“Should I be wearing this from now?” I asked Kish.
It will be too difficult for me to put on outside the green door that carries the glyph of the Death God, Hun-Came. We will not be seen as we walk. My guards will ensure that. Of course, the blessings help as well.”
“Death God again,” mocked Teul. Kish glared at him.
“Whose Blessings?” I quickly asked.
Kish ignored the question. “You will not carry your longer weapon on your waist. You will hold it and drag it.”
“Shouldn’t I have on a loincloth?”
“You can’t use a loincloth. It would not give you the natural contour you need to fool the baläm. The reason why you have the wrap-around made from the pelt of the baläm is to help disguise the natural scent of your toon and iit.371 They cannot be covered. The baläm will come close to you and smell you. Just don’t panic.”
“The baläm will smell me, but I mustn’t panic,” I responded, sneering. “That’s easy for you to say. You’re not the one whose toon and iit are being smelled by a baläm. And they have rough tongues. What happen if they decide to lick?”
“Bye bye balls,” sang Teul. “Bye bye happiness. Hello loneliness. I think I’m going to cry-y.” He shook his head. “Madafok,” he added, quietly.
I closed my eyes. I have to just accept everything as if it’s all normal. That’s the only way to go. I felt the headdress. “I have never seen a baläm’s head like this before, Kish. It is white. And does it have to be so heavy?”
“There are two types of baläm that have the white color of Can-Tzicnal. The first is the majakuta baläm. They walk the jungle like any other ek baläm. The second is the Chakmo’ol Sak, and they travel with Kinich Ahau as he journeys through the Underworld. All baläms are Sacred, but the Chakmo’ol Sak is Most Sacred and is protected by all the Baläm Gods. The ek baläm may be hunted to supply the needs of the nobles, but if someone kills the majakuta baläm just for sport or barter, he suffers many terrible deaths.”
“But aren’t both the headdress and skirt from a majakuta baläm?”
“You ask too many questions, Waach. No! We have good artisans in Xibalba. With the blessings of Hunahpu and Xbalanque, those will also help to fool the baläms.”
“Hunahpu and Xbalanque?”
Kish shook his head. “I did not say that and you will not repeat it.”
I nodded. “Why can’t I use ordinary ek baläm pelts?”
“One who enters Baläm Ja normally would, Waach. Now, leave it at that. Know also that no baläm is ordinary. It is only the nobles and elite that use the baläm’s brilliant coat and it is only because you partake in the trial that you are allowed that special privilege.”
“I am sorry, Kish, but I have to ask, why am I painted white and use a white baläm skirt and headdress?”
Kish sighed. “You and everything on you must be white. As I said before, the Chakmo’ol Saks that cross between the worlds with Kinich Ahau are the Most Sacred. As they are the Most Sacred, they do not participate in the trial you will face. The majakuta baläm is less Sacred than the Chakmo’ol Sak and they, in turn, are more Sacred than the ek baläm. Sometimes, one or more of the majakuta baläm will be in Baläm Ja. We do not know if one will be there tonight. The ek baläms show the majakuta baläms great respect and will not approach them unless beckoned. We are hoping that you can fool the ek baläms that you are a majakuta baläm. Are you ready, Waach?”
“Please, Kish,” I pleaded. He nodded. “How many baläms will be in Baläm Ja tonight?” Kish stared at me and for a brief moment I saw uncertainty in his eyes. “What is it, Kish? Are you’re holding something back?”
He sighed again. “I hold back many things, Waach. I can only say so much.”
“Then is there anything else you can tell me?”
He nodded, deep furrows on his forehead. “The Baläm Ja is dark like the jungle floor below a thick canopy at the time when Kinich Ahau leaves the Underworld and Xibalba and returns to U Wach Ulew. There is light to see, but it is dim. You will be able to see both the ek baläms and the majakuta baläms, if they are there. They will also be able to see you. You must act like one of them, convince them that you are a baläm. You must move on your hands and feet as they do. As you are painted white and carry the smell of baläm kis, they will take you for the majakuta baläm if you can deceive them. You will not be able to fool them for too long. The Baläm Ja is full of large and small rocks that allow the baläms to hide. From the door in the south wall, where you enter, there is a shallow creek flowing towards the north. You must walk the length of the creek, find a place of safety among the rocks at the end of the creek, hide there, and remain there until I call you. If you still live after Kinich Ahau has returned to the Underworld, in the morning, you can walk back through the creek and you will not be troubled. When you first enter, if a baläm approaches you, reach into your headdress. Within are fresh bloodied bones that still carry meat. Throw one to the approaching baläm. Hopefully, the baläm will gnaw on the bone and leave you alone, at least for a while. If you are attacked during the night, use your weapons, but use them only if you have to. All baläms are Sacred. Before leaving Baläm Ja, you are to get rid of the headdress and your skirt. The Death Gods are not to see you in them. You will also need to wash off the white paint. You must do that quickly.”
“Is that all, Kish?”
“That is all, Waach.”
“Then let’s be on our way.”
“Let’s be on our way, Waach.”
Teul, Choco, and Choc came up to me. I saw the concern in their eyes. “How do you feel?” asked Teul. “Are you sure you are well enough? Have you recovered enough?”
“As I told you before, Teul, it has to be done and only I can do it. I will be okay.”
They did not say a word; each hugged me then together they shouted, “Ixca junes maka ka metzev!” Teul added, “Even though our bodies and our weapons will not be in Baläm Ja with you, Waach, our spirits will be there. Take
care, my friend, and come back to us.” Then he grinned. “You have to get us out of this madafok place.” They then went back to sit against the wall, leaving me so emotional that I felt like sitting down and bawling. But I knew I couldn’t do that. I had to face what was to come and I would face it. I stood firmly, gathering strength from the words I then bellowed … I am Ke’kchi … I am a soldier … I am Waach … and I am a Maya Warrior called Fuck. The men jumped up, shouting in unison once again, “Ixca junes maka ka metzev! Oorah! Oorah! Oorah!”372 I walked away.
We went west along the passage way, then to the left of K’íilkab Ja, Hot House. There was a wide corridor going north after which came Baläm Ja on the right. The door was green and in the center of the southern wall. We stood in front of the door. It carried the image of the Death God, Hun-Came, sitting on the Baläm Nimalaj T’uyulibal.373
JAGUAR HOUSE
BALÄM JA
“We have arrived at Baläm Ja and face the Green Door that carries the glyph of the Great Death God, Hun-Came, sitting on the Baläm Nimalaj T’uyulibal. Waach! Are you ready to enter Baläm Ja?”
“I am.”
“May the gods be with you,” Kish said, and opened the door.
I started to walk in, but stopped as Kish whispered to me. “When you enter that green door, Waach, you are no longer man. You are baläm. You walk on all fours like the baläm. Keep your body level. When you get tired, simply lie down like the baläm, in a safe place. Remember also, Waach, that when you see one baläm, there are others. Baläm Ja is not like the jungle where the baläm walks alone unless he is mating. I cannot tell you how many are in Baläm Ja. I have already told you more than I should.”
I nodded. “Thank you, Chief Guard.” He in turn nodded. Then I saw the uncertain look in his eyes.
“Tell me, Kish.” I pleaded, quietly, staring at him.
He hesitated then spoke. “I couldn’t warn you before, and I shouldn’t warn you now, but there is another baläm that is often in the Baläm Ja. He is Ix Balanque. He is black and is the most powerful of the baläms. All baläms are subject to him. At times, the Death Gods place him in Baläm Ja. That is part of their deceit.”
I chuckled. “Well, I hope I do not meet him, but thank you.”
“Ka xi’ik teech utzil,” he said, and walked away.
I got down on all fours and crawled into Baläm Ja, dragging my machete along, trying to keep my body horizontal to the ground as Kish had instructed. It was not easy.
There was a dim blue-grey light throughout Baläm Ja, a cavern filled with boulders. I saw the shallow creek and heard the flow of its stream. I stepped in on all fours and started my quadruped gait, keeping in the middle of the stream. It had mainly smooth flat rocks at the bottom, so proceeding wasn’t difficult. I turned, looking all around me. I saw no baläms.
I had only gone about five feet when I heard the distinctive whistling song of the baläm above the soft flowing whisper of the creek. I turned around again, but saw no signs of one. I, nevertheless, immediately had my usual outbreak of koal seed and it wasn’t from the coldness of the creek. I continued walking, turning my head, trying to see as much behind me as possible. Just ahead, some boulders reached from the ceiling down to the creek’s edge where there was a small sani-bay. There were two ek baläms lying side by side, one sleeping. The other raised its head, looked at me lazily, then rested it back against the flank of its companion.
I advanced up the stream, always aware of the two ek baläms. As I was passing them, the one that had looked at me stood up, contemplating me. He was male, growled softly, shook his whole body. He turned away, and moved over to the rump of his partner whom he began sniffing. It seemed he was more interested in something else than me. For that I was thankful, but I, nevertheless, slowly reached up and took one of the bones from the headdress and placed it in the waistband of my skirt, next to my knife.
After going just a few feet further, I saw a large baläm rising from one of the crevices, gazing downward as it stepped. It stopped and looked up at me, its yellow-red eyes intense, then jumped to a closer rock. I didn’t like the look in its eyes and I had to fight the urge to stand, draw my machete, and confront it. The baläm was white.
The majakuta baläm reached the creek and walked on the bank side towards me. It never looked at me directly, passing about two feet away from me. Then it stopped. I saw that it was a large male. It put one paw then another into the creek and approached me, without any signs of indecision, until its head was against my thigh. It began sniffing me. I moved a little, and it made the most menacing growl. Then its nose went under my skirt and I really began to panic. I was afraid to move because I knew it would attack me, immediately. Also, I wasn’t sure if it was sniffing me just out of curiosity, or if, like the previous male ek baläm, it had other intentions, intentions I did not want to think about. I even began to wonder if the baläm kis’ paste was from a female or male and if it would make a difference in my plight. What I was really concerned about was whether it would attack me if it identified me as a male, or worst, if it thought I was a female, would it try to mount me. I was definitely not going to allow that, neither would Tóolok. Fok you Kish for not telling me why I was going to be sniffed. The majakuta baläm continued to smell under my skirt and then it started to lick my rump. You fokin Kish. You used female shit. It felt like its rough tongue would take off my skin, or worse, just slurp off Tóolok and my balls. I moved my rump a little away from its tongue and it once again gave a loud menacing growl. I stopped moving away. It gave a deep chesty cough then a sudden roar that almost made me jump out of my fokin skirt, then it started swinging its body around, definitely getting into position to mount me.
I was just about to jump up and reach for my machete when I heard a loud growl coming from further inside the cavern. Another large baläm was jumping down the boulders coming towards us. My majakuta baläm gave a loud growl and bared its long and sharp teeth. The second one stopped, displaying its teeth as well, roaring continuously. It was also a male, definitely younger by its powerful built and stance, but it was black. I hoped that my majakuta baläm would just run away with its tail between its legs, but it didn’t. It roared back in defiance, so aroused by the prospect of mounting and fucking me. I was mesmerized, not sure what to do, quickly realizing that there was going to be a fight over me and I wanted nothing to do with it. I slowly edged my body towards the right side of the creek. It was getting difficult to hold my stance as I was getting tired from remaining in the unnatural position of being on all fours. I sensed that my majakuta baläm knew that I was moving to the side, but it ignored me, being fully preoccupied with the new arrival. I guessed it thought it would catch up with me later after beating off his young opponent. The black baläm, Ix Balanque, charged and my majakuta baläm followed suit. They crashed into each other and then stood holding each other with their claws, trying to get their jaws over each other’s head just between the ears where one crush would mean death. They fell over backwards then jumped up quickly, launching at each other again. I kept moving away along the edge of the creek, hoping I would find a crevice I could get in and hide, for I was not only tired, but felt cramps developing in my muscles, burning and pain in my wounds.
There was a large boulder just ahead of me and I hurried to get behind it, leaving my two paramours in a real vicious roaring, slapping, and biting match. I came around the boulder and stared. Lying on a small sani-bay was another ek baläm, a female. It immediately stood up, growled, and displayed its sharp pointed teeth to me. I moved cautiously until the boulder hid most of my body after which I reached for the band of my skirt and pulled out the bone. I threw it over the boulder and it fell just in front of her. She was momentarily startled, gave me a nasty look and a growl then sniffed the bone. She looked at me and growled again, warning me not to try to take back the bloodied bone, then she picked up the bone and disappeared into the shadows.
I crawled onto the little beach and lay down,
trying to look like a sleeping baläm. I was exhausted. My previous injuries and blood loss were definitely catching up with me. I knew that I couldn’t rest long as I had to travel the whole creek and then find a place to hide for the rest of the night. So far, I had been lucky, but maybe it wasn’t luck as much as having followed Kish’s advice.
I began moving again, on all fours, along the middle of the creek. I heard soft whistling and low growls around me. It seemed that the fight over me had finished as there were no more loud roars behind me. That made me worried, however, for I was sure the victor would come looking for me. I didn’t want to battle and kill any of these majestic and sacred animals, that was even if I could in my sorry state. I had never seen anything like a majakuta baläm or an Ix Balanque. They were beautiful and powerful beings and I loved my jungle, and I loved all of its animals, but if I had to kill in order to save my life, I would kill. I needed to survive the trials in order to get my men out of Xibalba, rescue Molly, and kill Sisimito, or Mahanamtz as he was known in this strange land. If Mahanamtz lived after I rescued Molly, I would always live in fear that he would return for Molly, no matter where we were.
The young male, Ix Balanque, walked beside me. He gave a sudden roar and, once again, I almost leaped out of my skirt. I knew that during the mating rituals of the baläm, when the female offered resistance, as I was doing, there were loud and continuous roars. Sometimes, when Bas and I were in the jungle, we would hear them. We always tried to find them as we wanted to see the baläms doing their thing, but we never did. Taat was different. When I was a boy and hunted with him, Taat would always avoid the areas where the baläms were mating. He knew that they were mating because of the frequency of their roars. Sometimes, we would come upon an area where they had mated. The plants of the jungle floor would be crashed and torn in an area about three square yards. Never in my life would I have imagined that I would one day be an intimate part of that ritual.
Sisimito II--Xibalba Page 41
